Emirates SkyCargo is strengthening trade links across the Atlantic with the launch of a dedicated weekly freighter operation to Canada's busiest cargo gateway.
The service, which began operations following an announcement on April 30, 2026, connects Dubai World Central-Al Maktoum International Airport to Toronto Pearson International Airport with an en-route stop at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. According to the carrier, the new link responds to steadily rising demand and will provide Canadian businesses with an extra 100 tonnes of main-deck cargo capacity each week, over and above space already offered in the lower holds of passenger aircraft.
Badr Abbas, Divisional Senior Vice President at Emirates SkyCargo, noted that exports between Canada and the UAE have grown by 24 percent year-on-year from 2023 to 2024, aided by direct connectivity and strong trade relations. "Our weekly freighter to Toronto further amplifies this positive momentum," he said. The routing also creates valuable connections on the inbound segment, linking Canada with the European Union through the Amsterdam stopover. Between the Dutch hub and Toronto, the aircraft will primarily accommodate pharmaceuticals, time-sensitive perishables and other manufactured products.
Toronto Pearson, which accounts for approximately 45 percent of Canada's total air cargo throughput, views the new service as an important addition to its network. Kurush Minocher, Chief Commercial Officer at the Greater Toronto Airports Authority, called the launch a significant milestone. He emphasized that the route gives shippers reliable access to Emirates' extensive global cargo network and demonstrates confidence in Toronto Pearson's position as a key hub for international trade.
The schedule is built around Friday operations. The outbound flight departs Dubai at 07:10 local time, reaches Amsterdam at 12:15 local, then continues onward to land in Toronto at 16:55 local time. The return flight leaves Toronto Pearson at 19:15 the same evening and arrives back at Dubai World Central at 16:15 on Saturday. Flight numbers have been designated EK9943 outbound and EK9944 inbound.
This Canadian freighter service builds upon Emirates' existing passenger operations to Toronto, which have carried cargo in the belly for years, and the addition of cargo capacity on passenger flights to Montreal that started in July 2023. Industry sources indicate the move forms part of a broader network strategy that leverages Amsterdam as a key European gateway for transatlantic traffic.
The launch coincides with significant fleet investment at Emirates SkyCargo. The carrier has taken delivery of four new Boeing 777 Freighters in recent months and is on track to receive six additional examples during 2026. These aircraft will support plans to grow the dedicated freighter fleet toward 21 units by the end of the year, allowing retirement of older capacity and substantial increases in overall cargo lift.
Analysts suggest the Toronto route reflects evolving global supply chain patterns, particularly for high-value and temperature-controlled goods that benefit from reliable main-deck space and shorter transit times compared to ocean shipping. With the new service now active, Canadian exporters gain enhanced access to markets in the Middle East, while European manufacturers secure improved connections to North America through the integrated Emirates network.
The development underscores Emirates SkyCargo's continued focus on expanding beyond its traditional long-haul routes into secondary but high-growth trade corridors. As global trade volumes recover and diversify, such targeted freighter deployments are expected to play an increasingly important role in connecting regional economies to worldwide logistics networks.